#Brown Bar in Brisbane

[thevervelounge]

Notes On…Spring Cleaning Your Skincare

It’s important to assess your skincare regime every few months or so. The needs of your skin can change, and so too should your regime.

Your skin can become “immune” to products as they may develop a tolerance for certain ingredients and formulas over time. I like to cycle and trial different products seasonally and depending on how my skin is feeling. I consider my skincare regime like a wardrobe with heavier, more occlusive products in winter and lightweight breathable formulas in summer.

It’s important to remember that skincare expires after opening. I would not keep anything more than 12 months, less for organic products. Always store your products in a cool, dark environment or the refrigerator.

With the above top of mind it can be tricky to know where to start when overhauling your regime – so I put together a guide for culling your products by skin type.

Fax Dry Skin

Keep:

* Oil based products (formulated specifically for dry skin) 

* Antioxidant facial oil 

* Hydrating serum (squalene and niacinamide and hyaluronic acid) 

* Nourishing yet breathable moisturiser for day 

* Rich and occlusive night cream (look for ingredients like shea butter, maringa and rosehip) 

* Restorative facial mask 

* Gentle enzyme exfoliant

Cull:

* Too many active ingredients! Including one or two in your regime can certainly be beneficial (the key is to look for gentle actives and keep it simple). It is important your regime is a careful balance of actives as well as calming and nourishing products that feed and protect skin. Avoid more intense active ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid. 

* Heavily fragranced products, as these may evoke irritation, flaking and redness. 

* Alcohol-based products such as toner as these can be incredibly drying

Combination Skin

Keep:

* An AHA-based cleanser

* Water-based antioxidant serum

* A lightweight moisturizer

* Exfoliating physical scrub (to be used two to three times weekly) 

* Salicylic acid spot treatment for blemishes

* A liquid exfoliate such as 10+100eeling masque  as this can be targeted to certain areas such as the T-Zone

* A variety of face masks – multi-masking is a great way to address different concerns for combination skin (target oilier areas such as the t-zone with a clay mask and dryer areas with a hydrating treatment)

Cull:

* Beeswax, lanolin and other occlusive ingredients that do not offer any benefits for oily or normal skin

* Drying cleansers that strip the skin’s surface

* Harsh physical exfoliants and scrubs

* Soaps – irritating and drying!

Oily Skin

Keep:

* Gel or AHA based cleanser

* BHA serum (to dissolve grime, pollution and bacteria – BHAs are oil soluble meaning they can cut through oil build up) 

* Clay based face mask for oily skin (clay is great for tackling congestion and drawing impurities to the surface)

* Salicylic acid spot treatment for blemishes

Cull:

* Heavy products like rich heavy night creams and face oils

* Milky cleansers

* Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate, a surfactant/stripping ingredient commonly found in products for oily skin – which can encourage excess oil production while causing irritation and reactivity and damage the skin’s barrier.

Acneic Skin

Keep: 

* An acid based cleanser (with ingredients such as salicylic, glycolic or lactic acid) 

* Ingredients like Niacinamide, a potent antioxidant and Zinc, an anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting mineral to accelerate healing and minimise reactivity.  

* A serum with Vitamin B5 and/or Hyaluronic Acid as these hydrate skin while reducing flare-ups and redness within the skin

* An oil free moisturiser and sunscreen (Babor pure essential )

* A physical exfoliant

* A clay-based face mask (this can also be utilised as a spot treatment for blemishes)

Cull:

* Potent retinoids will aggravate inflamed skin. A gentle retinol may be integrated once any tenderness and inflammation is under control. 

* Synthetic fragrances, perfumes and essential oils, which will irritate an angry complexion 

* Sodium lauryl sulfate

* Comedogenic ingredients such as coconut oil, lanolin, avocado oil and beeswax.

Sensitive Skin

Keep:

* A gentle cleanser – look for an oil or milk based solution to provide extra nourishment and hydration 

* A calming serum (look for ingredients like Vitamin K, niacinamide, Shea Butter or Squalene) 

* Gentle AHAs such as lactic acid or fruit based amino acids 

* A micro-encapsultated retinol is the best way to incorporate retinol into a regimen for sensitive skin, as it is housed in a carrier system which releases the retinol slowly over time 

* A soothing moisturiser for day and a rich, hydrating night cream to restore skin in the evening.

Cull: 

* Sensitivity can be exacerbated by misguided use of active or harsh skincare products, so be careful when using these.

* Physical scrubs 

* Stronger AHAs like glycolic acid, 

* Anything fragranced!

* Retinol during periods of heightened sensitivity.

Every Skin Type

* Expired products – check the usage date of each product carefully. The expiry date is the number in the jar located on the back of the packaging, indicating how many months you have to use after opening. 

* Everyone needs an SPF in their regime and there is one to suit every skin type. Always use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen to protect against all UV rays. 

* I always recommend the below regime format as it includes all of the products needed to maintain skin health without being overcomplicated. Simply tailor the products utilized to your skin type and concerns.

AM Regime: 

* Gentle Cleanse

* Antioxidant Serum

* Eye Care 

* SPF Moisturiser

PM Regime 

* Double Cleanse

* Corrective Serum

* Eye Care

* Moisturiser

2 – 3 x Exfoliate

Cull: 

* Do not dip your fingers into jars as this spreads bacteria and taints the product

* Ensure your products are always sealed between uses – screw caps on tightly.

For more details visit: https://www.thevervelounge.com.au

[charlesandmartine]

An Epilogue for Australia 2023

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains,

Of ragged mountain ranges,

Of droughts and flooding rains.

I love her far horizons,

I love her jewel-sea,

Her beauty and her terror

The wide brown land for me!

An excerpt from:

My Country

By Dorothea Mackellar

We made all the arrangements for this trip last summer which seems ages ago now and it troubled us whether we had packed enough into the itinerary, if we were really just repeating too much, and if the destinations were to be interesting enough. We ought not to have worried because none of that was so. It turned out that the balance was almost perfect. Lovely to see Jill again and stay in her amazing apartment in Balgowlah which we like enormously. The cruise to NZ was really enjoyable, seeing both the south Island where we haven't been before and revisiting the north Island, especially Napier. We were particularly pleased to visit Christchurch which we loved and the Sounds were stunning. We felt so fortunate that we completed this cruise when we did because soon after Cyclone Gabrielle came across flooding areas in the north and of course our condolences go out to those people.

The second part of the trip I think changed the way we view this wonderful country, that is our journey to woop woop, pronounced wup wup ie the middle of nowhere and beyond. We broke ourselves in gently before getting to the outback by first calling into some amazing beaches and then heading due west. The outback is a different Australia entirely; the accent is different, harder, broader. Some live in such remote places that there's no apparent reason for the place to be there at all. The couple who ran the cattle station could, with binoculars, see their neighbours. The girl in the bottle shop in Roma dreamed of the day she might go to Bondi Beach! Outbackers do not go to cities which are most likely unaffordable, and city dwellers don't go to the outback apart perhaps from Uluru, called Ayers Rock in pre decimal days. There are at least three levels of society in this amazing country, City, Outback and First Nation. We absolutely loved the outback; we loved the simplicity, the isolation, the one street, the bar where it goes quiet when you walk in, the friendliness, the pleasure they get when outsiders visit their town, the nothingness, the 'I went to Brisbane once, I didn't like it ' comment, the 'if we need to go shopping we drive 2 hours to Charleville', the big huge skies, the massive sunsets, the red dirt, the space, the long long straight empty roads, drive for 280km and not see a single building, community that appears to actually work, we loved it all that's all nearly 5000kms of it in Mr Avis's SUV.

We learned stuff. Staying on the cattle station we saw how hard life could be with not enough help, the danger of moving heavy cattle around, the changing climate, the financial loss that results from drought, the difference rain can make, the condition of the grass therefore life for the cattle or not. Having witnessed the cows being sent to market was a salutary moment for a meat eater versus vegetarian or at least non beefeater.

The rains had returned to the east of Australia with the red dirt turning green. This meant more food for animals such as kangaroos which meant they were not so evident in human occupied land. They talk of El Nino and the effects it has on the climate, La Nina is it's opposite number and it would appear there's a transition. We saw the vast coal mining operations in Newcastle and Blackwater and are both disturbed by this but also understand the economic arguments that allow it's continuance.

We learned more about Australian dinosaurs, crocodiles and how to kill one if necessary, cattle handling obviously, Australian politics and how similar they are to ours, societal problems like interest rate levels, inflation, long hospital waiting lists for hip replacements, shortage of doctors, superannuation, staff shortages in general, mortgage rates, high cost of energy, shortages, scrutiny over COVID handling, proposed Submarine purchases from AUKUS and the list goes on and on and we rub our eyes to see if we are at home or abroad!

The outback is such a fascinating place of great extremes. It breeds a tough and resilient kind of person constantly battling against an environment that views humans as an itch that needs to be scratched, a boil that needs lancing and moreover eradicated. Nature wiped out the dinosaurs of Winton millions of years ago and it does its best now to get rid of their modern day replacements. It does this by seven years of immense drought followed by fire terrifyingly tearing across the tinder dry land and scrub killing and destroying anything in its path. Then come the rains with such intensity the waters rebound, fill the creeks and the vast floodplains drowning animals small and large that inevitably get caught up in it. And then comes the cyclone that blows away structures and trees that dare to challenge it. Nevertheless the communities are tough and stubborn and rebuild because this is a great land. If you want precious stones mounted in precious metals, it is to be found here. If it can be eaten, drunk or cooked with, it is here. If it is needed to generate heat or power then it can be found here. If it is a rare mineral and it is to be found in the periodic table, it can most likely be found in Australia somewhere. If you want to make batteries for new generation electric vehicles, the lithium can be found there. If you want to increase your chances of being bitten, poisoned or eaten to death then Australia has it in droves. It is not the home of Shakespeare; no play contains the words G'day Mate, or own any work entitled Two Gentlemen from Woop Woop, but they try. They are both a young country with no history beyond 200 years and yet they have the combined history's of its many nationalities. They also have the fascinating and hidden history of the indigenous peoples going back 60,000 years! They have European Art which is developing more now into something of their own. More encouraging is that indigenous works are beginning to be appreciated now as works of art in their own right and not as they previously were merely as objects of interest.

This is a marvellous country unsurpassed anywhere else on the globe and deserves to be explored and appreciated for the incredible experiences it so readily offers

Perhaps one of the last images we will recall might be at Sydney Airport:

'Repack or pay' screamed the fierce looking Australian woman behind the Malaysia Airlines check-in desk at the overweight Indian family presenting equally overweight luggage. She could do well in a banshee yelling competition. They were escorted to a quiet spot where silver changed hands.

We have so enjoyed our time here with the variety of things we have done. We went to the SOH three times on this trip and were blown away by each performance, each different from the previous in different ways. We took a very fond look back at Sydney Harbour as we walked away from it last night, the place we really love and of course Manly, not wanting to leave it, but it's au revoir not goodbye, we are simply going to be absent for a while and we shall be back.

[likesrandomstuff]

Rating AFLW Season 7 Pride Guernseys (Part 2)

Continuation of giving my unqualified thoughts on AFLW Season 7 Pride Jumpers

Hawthorn Hawks

As we can't go back to 1925 and get them to choose pretty much any colour combination other than brown and gold, this is what they have to work with. I get the idea of having the stripes be unfinished, with a paintbrush edge, to represent the story not being completed, but that kind of detail is not clear unless you have a very close look. Change in logo is a nice touch. Would have liked some more creativity. Stripes on the lower half of the back too. Rating 3/10.

Melbourne Demons

Their jumper last season was my second favourite, so this is disappointing. One of my podcasts had a host who likes it, and I’m happy for her. It’s giving me circus big top or that parachute game we’d use to play at school. Not sure if that’s a universal experience. Back has the trans flag colours which is good. The front looks like a shield. Rating 4.5/10.

North Melbourne Kangaroos

Had an extra week to think about this one, and I believe my issue is that it looks like the rainbow is behind bars. I know prison bar jumpers is a Port thing, but still. Would have liked if the blue was broken up like a PowerPoint slide-change graphic, with the rainbow breaking the stripes up. An improvement on Season 6's. Rating 5.5/10.

Port Adelaide Power

After having the best Indigenous jumper they pull this out too? Not fair. It's a finger print with important years for the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia breaking up the stripes. I saw 2017 (parliament voted yes to gay marriage) in there. I also think it's so important that they said in their reveal video that this includes the lesbian flag, cause it's not a bad word and even in this space it's rarely said. Feel like it's just missing one thing to be perfect. Rating 9/10.

Richmond Tigers

Richmond's jumper last season is still my favourite, 9.5 for that. My only issue with that was having Geelong referenced on the shoulder. This isn't a Western Bulldog and Footscray situation where it's a previous incarnation of the club, this is pointing out to another team that you beat them. Just have your first winning score and would have been the 10. Feel like Geelong responded to the dig in how that Round 1 game played out. Not as eye-popping as the home jumper with the black base, but still very good. 8.5/10.

St. Kilda Saints

To quote my bi St Kilda supporter friend, "it looks weird". And it does. I just hope someone out there raised the idea that a rainbow cross may upset some people in the wider community. These people probably get mad a lot, but feels like an unnecessary risk. I know the jumper they based this off, but the not black (what is it even? grey?) surrounding the cross, not a fan of. Has some dates in there too. Watching the game it looked decent, and all the background appeared black. Sightly improves their score. Rating 4/10.

Sydney Swans

Really liked the men wearing their version of this in the one AFL Pride Game, but I'm not feeling this. Red and White is Sydney, but doesn't feel like a Sydney jumper. Fremantle's jumper last season was basically the same, but still felt Freo. Maybe because having a colourful V is already part of their uniform. Swans had a lot to do, and a design already there, so fair enough to them for using it. Hope they are a bit more creative next time. Couldn't pick out the rainbow in the stands. Rating 4.5/10.

West Coast Eagles

My favourite part of this is the rainbow stripes on the shorts. Don't think anyone else did that. And the rainbow line between the yellow and blue is a nice touch. They didn't have a jumper last season in part because they didn't want to rush a design into their club's history. With that in mind, a rainbow shadow is your centerpiece? You could have made the eagle rainbow! I'll give them credit for the shadow idea, as that's new, but Brisbane is the only other club with an animal who could have. Could not tell this wasn't their normal home jumper in the stands. Rating 2.5/10.

Western Bulldogs

Sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to go. Bulldogs have the most Pride jumpers, with Carlton, as they played a Pride Game before it was extended to a whole round. This is a big departure from all of them. Highlighting the trans flag colours is so important, and very convenient considering the Bulldog's normal ones. Don't have light blue very often in AFL/W, but we should; it's a great jumper colour. Solid concept. Rating 8/10.

[jpdoingwords]

Joel

As always, there was a long line for the Sunday sesh at the Oceanic Hotel, and by the time Paige and Harper reached the front bar, it was already packed.

They cut through the crowd, Harper smiling to herself at how many guys turned to watch Paige pass. Next to her, most eyes slid right off Harper as though she wasn’t there at all.

Paige loved the attention though, and Harper loved going unnoticed, so it was perfect.

They chose a table by the window, and over their first drinks, Paige fell into conversation with a dark-haired guy who was sitting at the table beside theirs. He had an angular face with thoughtful brown eyes. His name was Rowan.

Harper left them to it, contentedly looking out the window, drinking a Tom Collins through a straw, taking in the beautiful view outside.

It was a perfect golden afternoon – the sparkling ocean beneath a high clear sky; a cargo ship even then slipping towards the hazy horizon.

There was a golden quality to it all that tugged at her heart strings. The strange sense she sometimes had of the perfection of the world – or at the least, a moment of perfection.

The guy who’d been sitting with Rowan came over to where she was looking out at the sunset, dragging a chair behind him. The sun caught his sandy brown hair, turning it vividly gold. His face was pleasant, wide-browed, but there was something vaguely brooding that she could sense lurking beneath the friendly surface. His eyes were very blue.

‘Since your friend and my friend are talking, I thought I’d introduce myself. I’m Joel.’

He offered a hand, and she shook it, introducing herself. His hand was so calloused, she almost recoiled.

‘So, what brings you ladies here this arvo?’

‘It’s my birthday, actually.’

‘Let me guess,’ he said, squinting at her. ‘You’re… twenty-five?’

He was right. ‘Good guess.’

He smiled in one corner of his mouth.

She pondered a moment, looking at the pint of beer he’d placed on the table. The drops of condensation on the glass caught the sunlight like jewels.

After a minute, she said, ‘Well, I guess one of us has to do it.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Do what?’

‘Ask the obligatory, boring question – what do you do for a crust?’

He half-smiled again. ‘I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.’

She laughed, though she wasn’t entirely sure he was joking.

She suggested, ‘So… you’re a secret assassin, here to take out innocent women quietly drinking their cocktails?’

He smiled properly. It transformed his face in an astonishing way, softening the hard lines, crinkling his eyes at the corners charmingly.

‘Not at all,’ he said, though she could see him choosing his words. ‘I’m in public service. What about you?’

‘I work in hotels.’

‘Anywhere good?’ he asked, then clarified, ‘I mean here, in Perth, or somewhere exotic?’

‘Here,’ she said. ‘But I want to go up north eventually, after I finish my degree.’

‘Your degree?’

He’d leant back, as though she’d said something offensive. She wondered what he was thinking.

‘I’m going to be a writer.’ She said it boldly, as if finishing the degree would automatically eject into the world someone who would write a novel. As if authors could be produced via a reliable process. ‘That’s part of why I want to travel. I can’t write about this shithole, can I?’

He half smiled at that; whatever thought the degree had provoked had passed, apparently. Maybe she’d misunderstood his body language.

‘I dunno,’ he said as he looked around them pointedly, eyes sparkling. ‘I’ve been to worse pubs.’

It took her a second, then she caught up. She laughed.

‘You know what I mean!’

He took a drink then said, ‘I sure do. Perth sucks.’

She agreed with him, but there was something about the way he said it that made her perk up her ears. To her, it sucked, but she meant that in an affectionate way; his dislike was different.

‘You’re not from here originally.’ It wasn’t a question.

He shook his head. ‘Brisbane.’

‘Been here long?’

‘Seven months. Another five to go.’

‘Then what?’

He shrugged, looking out at the ocean. ‘Not sure yet.’

Something clicked then. She’d grown up in a place where there were a lot of Navy kids. They’d turn up for classes at the start of the year, then leave again a year later. One of her high school friends had joined up when he was old enough, and he’d seemed to move at least every year, sometimes more often, until they’d eventually lost touch.

‘Are you in Defence?’ she asked, unintentionally pitching her voice low, as if she was asking him to disclose a state secret. Maybe it was his earlier evasiveness which made her vaguely nervous about asking.

The swiftest flicker of surprise crossed his face, as though she’d caught him out; but it was gone as he tilted his head and asked very coolly, ‘What makes you ask that?’

She sat back, knowing she was right, and wondered why he hadn’t just told her that. She’d never met a sailor who’d been that evasive.

She shrugged. ‘I’ve known sailors all my life.’

He scoffed. ‘Navy.’ He shifted then, sitting up straighter. He met her eye with an almost defiant expression. ‘I’m Army.’

She wasn’t sure what he expected her to say about that – but it was clear he expected something specific.

She went with, ‘Fair enough,’ but felt compelled to add, ‘I don’t judge.’

He visibly relaxed. She didn’t understand his reactions at all.

‘Do you want another drink?’ he asked.

Why did she feel like she’d passed a test?

‘Yes, please,’ she said, waving her now-empty glass at him. ‘Tom Collins.’

He asked Rowan if he wanted another, and Paige took the moment to glance over at Harper. She tilted her head, as if to ask if everything was good.

Harper smiled back, reassuringly. She wasn’t sure if she liked Joel, but she’d definitely been around worse people. She returned the favour, raising her eyebrows at Paige. She smiled in this way she had that said without words that she liked Rowan.

When Joel came back, he resumed his seat. The sun was almost touching the ocean by then, and the golden light was shining directly in the windows.

Harper sighed contentedly, closing her eyes for a minute as she turned her face towards the light; then she looked back at Joel.

He’d been watching her, and he nodded. ‘It’s the one thing this place has going for it.’

‘What’s that?’

He gestured at the sun. ‘Arvo sessions while the sun sets over the ocean.’

She smiled. ‘Yeah, I guess so.’

They were quiet for a minute before he said, ‘You said it’s your birthday – so what are you?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘What’s your star sign?’

‘You believe in that stuff?’

She’d clearly fallen into a trap. He grinned.

‘Nah, but I know women like to go on about it.’

She scoffed, refusing to take the bait. ‘I’m an Aquarius.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means I was born at the end of January.’

He smiled again. She liked it when he did that.

She smiled back and said, ‘I dunno. That people think I’m weird, but I don’t care.’

He said lightly, ‘You don't seem weird to me.’

She couldn’t tell if he was flirting or stating a fact, so she replied semi-seriously, ‘But you don't know me yet.’

He tilted his head up, holding her eye. ‘So I'll have the chance?'

Her face was warm but she challenged dryly, ‘Do you want one?’

‘Do you have an answer for everything?’

‘I draw a blank on the meaning of life, but otherwise…’

Later, they went upstairs. A band was playing, and drunk by then, they all danced in the long golden slants of light that bathed the dancefloor, until the sun was finally snuffed in the sea.

Joel and Harper were circling each other subtly, pretending they weren’t. Slowly drawing nearer with each orbit, but never risking a collision.

The band finished their set, and Paige grabbed Harper’s shoulder.

‘Time to go home?’

She nodded. Joel was looking at her, head tilted. She opened her mouth to explain when music burst from the speakers right beside them. She shook her head wryly, then moved close. Standing on her toes, placing her hands lightly on his shoulders, she yelled into his ear that they were leaving.

Butterflies when his hands rested casually on her hips.

He shouted, ‘Your number?’ holding his phone out to her, eyebrow raised.

This was done in a moment, and then he leant down again. She thought he was going to say something else, but his lips met hers for the barest instant.

***

‘I’m going to bed,’ Rowan said, in the early hours of the morning, leaving Joel and Harper where they sat. ‘Night.’

She looked towards the fireplace on one side of the patio without paying Rowan any mind; the flames were dancing.

Joel said goodnight to him, before falling back into abstraction, staring into the dark night beyond the patio as he absent-mindedly flipped a lighter over and over in one hand.

She watched him for a moment: the lighter flipping; his sandy brown hair, which’d fallen over one clean shaven cheek, looked almost orange in the firelight; his nails, chewed into near oblivion.

He turned to her suddenly, their eyes meeting.

The look held until she took a drink from her nearly empty, lukewarm can. He made her feel restless, awkward. Almost as though he was prickling at her somehow. The fire crackled.

‘I’m going for a walk,’ she said spontaneously, standing.

‘Where to?’

‘The beach - of course.’

‘I'll come with you?’

She considered him for a moment, but shrugged with forced casualness.

‘Alright.’

They were alone in the night, the sound of their footsteps loud on the suburban sidewalk. A stray dog passed, pausing to accept their drunken affection before wandering on. Cats yowled in the darkness. Street lights created cool blue pools of light that they swam through, not speaking.

They crossed the empty highway, leaving the suburb behind, and followed the footpath down to the beach.

The moon was at the half, a cup tilted just enough to spill. The sand was brightly white.

She threw herself down with flamboyance, and he fell down beside her.

For a long moment she just looked up at the stars. She didn't turn her head to check, but she knew he was looking at her.

She waited. Words were coming.

‘I should apologise. I should’ve called.’

After a long pause, she said, ‘Maybe.’ She looked in his direction then and their eyes met. ‘But why bother now?’

‘Because I knew I was starting something I wouldn’t be able to see through.’

‘Forget about it.’ A pause. ‘I didn’t even know if I liked you.’

He looked away, up at the stars. ‘Do you know now?’

‘Nope,’ she said, a small effervescence of laughter rising in her chest despite herself.

He shook his head, though she could see he was smiling.

Everyone said he never smiled, but she thought they were wrong. She saw him do it all the time.

When he didn’t say anything further, she too looked up at the sky. It was beautiful.

They laid like that until the eastern sky began to lighten.

Maybe they dozed a bit. She wasn’t sure. It all felt like a dream.

‘How long have we been down here?’ she asked, as he held out a hand to help her up.

He shrugged. ‘Does it matter?’

She took the hand, which was warm. She realised how cold she was.

They went back to the house by a different route, past a park that was filled with the scent of wattle flowers, and welcomed the fire on the patio when they got there.

They were both freezing, both covered in sand, but the nature of the silence between them had shifted.

***

The afternoon was warm. Harper could smell the ocean on the gentle breeze.

One of her housemates, Macca, was trying to dig a hole in the sandy soil of the backyard. The sides kept caving in. She was laughing at him and didn't notice Joel’s approach until he was behind her, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

She turned, smiling, and took the beer he offered her, the green bottle dewed with condensation. She flushed as he wiped a smudge of dirt from her chin with a look of tenderness that she hadn’t seen before.

They went together to sit at the top of the stairs overlooking the backyard and let the sounds of the sleepy afternoon wash around them: the dull roar of the highway and the hum of bees in the bougainvillaea.

She thought only of the warmth of his shoulder as it rested against hers. His presence, the feeling he evoked of excess, enveloped her. Her skin tingled as she looked at his hands, broad and strong, calloused.

How she wanted him; and how she feared that wanting was all there would be; or that getting what she wanted must necessarily end in suffering.

Yet his expression was soft as he reached out to touch the side of her face gently, almost tenderly.

Her breath caught as he pressed his lips to hers.

It was a mistake. An irresistible mistake.

***

The rain was thundering on the roof of the patio. The air was damp and cold outside the circle of the firelight.

Everyone else had gone to bed hours ago. The share house was quiet and dark behind them; yet Harper and Joel sat on, opposite one another with the familiar silence between them that, time and time again, they’d both been unable to break.

That night, though, he said suddenly, ‘I know what you want, Harper, but I’m not ready to be exclusive.’

Perhaps he didn’t mean to say it so callously. Maybe it was the only way he could get the truth out.

She didn’t reply immediately, but kept concentrating on the fire. She could feel his eyes on her. 

It felt like an insult. Am I not enough?

‘Fair enough,’ she said at last.

He seemed to wait for something – a question, an argument. She didn’t know.

When she said nothing further, he added, ‘I’ll have to go sooner or later, you know that. I don’t want to lead anyone on. Leave you hanging. You know what that was like the first time.’ 

The first time. When he’d given her his number then disappeared for the better part of a year - never, she’d thought, to be heard from again.

She looked at him then, at his ever-serious face drawn in even severer lines than usual. He almost looked unwell.

‘If you knew that, then why start anything at all, only to end it now?’

‘End it?’ he said, frowning. ‘I’m… that’s not my intention. I’m just saying that’s where I’m at – I’m talking about what I want.’

‘I don’t like sharing,’ she said stiffly.

A furtive look fleeted across his features. He pursed his lips.

She sat up a little straighter. ‘You’re fucking someone else?’

‘No,’ he said defensively. ‘But if I want to, I will.’

‘Alright,’ she said curtly. ‘Thanks for telling me.’

He sighed. ‘It’s obvious you’re pissed off; but would it’ve been better if I hadn’t told you? If I’d let you believe it was going to be something it isn’t?’

She said, bitterly. ‘No, it wouldn’t. It would’ve been better if you’d said this before it even started.’

He scoffed. ‘You would’ve done it anyway.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

He shook his head, looked away at the rain, the darkness, and for a long moment, there was a fraught silence between them; then he said, ‘You like throwing yourself under the bus.’

‘Do I?’ She was pissed off now, and made no secret of it.

‘Everyone says so.’

She stood then. ‘Alright. Thanks for that truth. I’ll see you ‘round.’

He stood too. ‘Don’t be like that.’ He crossed the distance between them, caught her elbow as she moved towards the door.

She didn’t shake him off, but looked up at him in annoyance and snapped, ‘What? Is this not what you wanted out of this conversation?’

He looked hurt, she realised with some surprise. What had he expected? She couldn’t understand him, even after the months of intimacy. Maybe she never would.

‘I didn’t want to hurt you,’ he said it softly, apologetically. ‘I do care about you - you must know that by now.’

‘Alright,’ she said dismissively.

He released her elbow almost angrily, and turned away.

‘Be like that then.’

She didn’t stay for more, but went inside; though she looked back once, through the glass of the sliding door, to see him sitting alone staring into the flames again, his face once more kissed with gold.

***

There was a crystalline quality to the air that cut at her skin as she brought an armful of wood into the patio. She dumped it beside Joel, who stacked it with quiet concentration into the fireplace.

As he did it, her eyes wandered to the small area of his shoulder which showed above the collar of his coat, the line of his neck.

She wanted to touch him, almost ached for it. She imagined the warmth of his skin, prickling beneath her fingertips. Wanted to trail kisses along his neck. To hear those small exhalations of pleasure she could elicit from him...

But he was seeing someone else. She was seeing another guy. Anything like that between them was over and done with.

She pretended she didn’t know the other guy’s name, like she pretended she wasn’t really involved with him. He hadn’t replaced Joel in any way. He did nothing to ease the suffering she felt with Joel, with this nearness paired with the perpetual distance between them.

She wanted to stay away from him, tried to stay away… but she still found herself here with him in the night. Unable to stop.

The light of the fire began to play across the walls of the house as it flared higher, flashing vividly gold. They were drenched in it, like two blinking golden statues.

‘Your flights are booked?’ she asked reluctantly.

He sighed. ‘Yeah. For the end of the month.’ He spoke carefully, as if saying the words gently made things easier.

She stretched out on the couch, resting her head on his thigh, and closed her eyes, thinking, I don’t want to see anymore.

He stroked her hair, as he’d done many nights before: Gently. Thoughtfully. Tenderly.

She listened to the crackle of the burning wood, the sound of her own breathing.

Denying it was over.

Denying that he was already gone.

***

The phone ringing jerked her from sleep.

‘Yes?’ she mumbled.

‘I’m so over this bullshit, Harper.’

Joel. He was slurring ever so slightly

She sat up, rubbing her face with her spare hand.

‘What’s happened?’

‘I hate it here.’

‘Brissy?’

‘No. Anywhere that’s away from you.’

I must be dreaming.

‘What?’

‘You heard me. I haven’t been happy since I left. I miss you like crazy.’

‘You’re drunk,’ she said, belly somersaulting, even though the sensible part of herself urged that, after months of total silence, this couldn’t possibly be true.

‘You think that means I’m lying? I should’ve said it, back then – that you made me happy. I should’ve done everything differently…’

‘Stop it,’ she said sternly. ‘Stop.’

‘You know it’s true. You know we were happy.’

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her mind, swimming with dopamine. She’d almost convinced herself she hated him; but now… now, she saw it was a lie she’d been telling herself.  

Still, she tried to be sensible.

‘Even if we were, it didn’t last, did it? What about Emma?’

He scoffed. ‘She was never anything. She was an excuse. A reason to stop myself falling for you – but I did anyway.’

Gods. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. That’s not true.’

‘It is.’

‘I’m with someone,’ she said, the only way she could think of that might stop him talking like this. ‘You know that.’

He scoffed. ‘That miserable piece of shit.’

‘Excuse me? You don’t know him.’

‘But I know you. I saw how unhappy you were before I left.’

She was quiet for a long moment, then exhaled, long and slow.

‘Joel – why are you calling me? What do you want from me?’

‘I wanted to hear your voice. I wanted you to know you matter to me.’

‘OK. I know now.’

‘Good.’

‘Now go and sleep it off. We’ll pretend this didn’t happen, alright?’

His voice was achingly tender… so tender it was like being stabbed.

‘It did, though.’

‘Alright,’ she said softly, despite herself. ‘I heard you.’

***

She went out to the kitchen and made a coffee. She took it into the lounge which adjoined the kitchen and found Macca asleep on one of the couches. He was a stoner and regularly slept there, even though it was far too small to be comfortable, his implements spread out on the coffee table beside him.

‘Macca,’ she said, shaking him by one shoulder.

He woke up with a jerk, looking up at her blankly for a long moment before he relaxed again.

‘Harper.’

‘You fell asleep on the couch again.’

‘Oh,’ he said, a shrug in his voice.

She went and sat on the seat opposite him, the one that looked out the glass doors which led onto the patio. The landlord had had the fireplace removed – apparently, it’d been illegal. The space looked weird without it.

Macca sat up, groaning.

‘My back hurts.’

‘Maybe you should stop sleeping on the couch, then,’ she said dryly.

He didn’t reply to that, busy with packing himself a pipe and smoking it.

She looked out the doors, thinking about Joel. She thought about him as though she was swimming underwater these days. The memories were fishes flashing brightly in the darkness, no sooner glimpsed than lost again.

‘What happened to that boyfriend of yours?’ Macca said suddenly in that vague way he said everything. ‘I haven’t seen him in ages.’

‘He got posted.’

‘Posted?’

‘Yeah. The Army sent him back east.’

He started cackling, and Harper frowned.

‘What’s so funny about that?’

‘Fuck,’ he said, wiping an eye theatrically after a minute. ‘I thought you meant he was sent through the post. Can’t imagine that guy going quietly into a box!’

She snorted. It was a ridiculous image. ‘He sure wouldn’t.’

Sobering, he offered, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll find someone else. Plenty more fish in the sea.’

‘Shit, Macca. Who under the age of sixty says shit like that?’

He was laughing again. ‘I dunno. Just seemed like the right thing to say.’

She’d finished her coffee, and stood then. 

‘Well – thanks, I guess.’

‘Sure thing,’ he said grinning. ‘Anytime.’

~~~

Contents page of the Collection

[5sosfanfictioncatalogue]

Only One Bed Masterlist

a new sensation (ao3) - strxngersagain luke/calum G, 16k

Summary: Calum doesn’t remember actually updating his Hinge profile. It happened at some point after he’d stumbled back into his flat, when Ashton had fed him pints until well after his shift had ended, and had dragged him out to the bar down the road afterwards.

You should leave a comment if: You want a free trip to Edinburgh.

or

Calum needs a date for his sister's wedding, and Luke has never been to Scotland.

Destination: Perth (ao3) - onlythevoid luke/ashton T, 34k

Summary: The stranger swung into the seat next to him and sighed contentedly. Luke stole a glance from under his hat. It was a boy with light-brown messy hair, reminiscent of surfers Luke saw on the beach in Brisbane - he had a t-shirt on and black jeans, and fade-tint round-frame sunglasses propped on his straight nose.

The stranger caught Luke’s eyes.

“Hey?” The stranger asked. Shouldn’t have looked at him, Luke thought. Too late.

The stranger had set his sunglasses on his head and was peering below Luke’s cap. “Dude. You look terrible. Are you okay?”

Oh, so the stranger was one of those guys. Too friendly and ever-inquisitive. Yes, Luke looked like shit; he’d been crying for an hour at a time, every few hours, and all he’d had to eat in the past two days was some wet broccoli at the hospital and a bag of chips he’d bought that morning in Brisbane, and there were bruises all up and down his right arm from a car crash he wished he’d died in.

Luke didn’t say any of that. He prayed his voice would be steady and said, “Yes. Thanks.”

The messy-haired boy did not seem convinced. After a pause, he offered, “My name’s Ashton, by the way.”

i’ll be patient despite our racing hearts (ao3) - expectopatronuz michael/ashton, luke/calum T, 5k

Summary: Michael and Ashton are accidentally fake dating

I'm A Falling Star (ao3) - FayeHunter luke/ashton, michael/calum T, 55k

Summary: A philosopher once asked, “Are we human because we gaze at the stars or do we gaze at them because we are human?” Pointless really. “Do the stars gaze back?” Now that’s a question.

Or: Ashton’s a shop boy setting out on a adventure to find a star to help grant a wish. Luke’s a star crashed to Earth looking for some help to get back home. They’re both in for more adventure than they bargained for.

minute suite dreams (ao3) - galacticsugar luke/calum M, 10k

Summary: The attendant disappears down the hall, and Luke finally gets a good look at the place he and Calum will be spending the night.

“Oh fuck,” Luke murmurs under his breath, wheeling his suitcase into the space and looking back at Calum apologetically. “It’s, uh. Small.”

peach and clover (ao3) - galacticsugar luke/calum M, 7k

Summary: “Now the fuck what?” he asks, shaking his head helplessly at Calum. “Try to find a hotel further away? Hike a few miles at midnight?”

“Clover Leaf Motel,” Calum says, pointing out the window next to them. Luke has to crank his neck around to see it. Across the street and down the block, there’s a dilapidated-looking building with a glowing neon sign out front. Vacancy. “I didn’t mention it earlier because it seems like kind of a last resort type of place, but, uh…”

“That’s where we’re at,” Luke says, chuckling humorlessly at the motel’s logo—a four leaf clover, which would normally seem pretty ironic given the state of the motel, but Luke can’t deny there’s comedy in the situation. Somehow, they are actually lucky that this place exists.

Popstar (ao3) - L4sht0n luke/ashton, michael/calum T, 54k (WIP)

Summary: Luke didn't need a fake boyfriend. He had some problems, every celebrity had some problems. Drug, sex and alcohol was Luke's getaway, but there was nothing wrong with it. A bit problematic yes, but he did nothing wrong. Luke was losing fans because of his bad behaviour, and he was kind of an asshole. Luke could admit this. But he didn't need a fake boyfriend. He didn't need Ashton Irwin to play his fake boyfriend and clean up his mess. If Luke's management wanted to clean up Luke so badly they should just hire a cleaning lady. Luke didn't need a fake boyfriend, didn't want it. Then why did the fake relationship feel so real?

Stranded (ao3) - jbhmalum michael/calum T, 14k

Summary: Checking that there was no one waiting behind him, Michael sends Christine a smile before making his way towards Broad Shoulders and Pretty Face. He doesn’t notice Michael right away, only looking up when Michael clears his throat.

Despite the clear defeat that sits on his face, his brown eyes are warm and his cheeks full and adorable, the curls cut into some kind of mullet framing all of it beautifully. Michael’s easily charmed, but he’s never been charmed by a guy on the verge of tears before.

Well, there’s a first time for everything.

or

They both miss their flights AU

time skips (ao3) - kaleidoscopeminds luke/calum M, 4k

Summary: Calum’s life is a fucking mess.

He desperately needs to find a flat in a nicer area, start going to bed at a reasonable time and smoking less. He needs to spend less money on stupid shit, eat more vegetables and remember to call his mum more. Also, he should probably try to get this time travelling thing under control.

And once he’s done that, he can tackle the other thing, that he keeps having sex with the same guy in every era he ends up in.

you are the sun (and i’m just the planets spinning around you) (ao3) - orphan_account michael/luke, calum/ashton T, 17k

Summary: "are you ready for this?” his ‘boyfriend’ asked, squeezing his hand again and giving him a reassuring smile.

― michael’s being forced to go to a stupid family event, even though it really does seem like just yesterday that he was being forced to fly out to australia for his nan’s funeral. it wasn't like he hated his nan and didn't want to mourn her death, he just honestly couldn't be bothered to deal with his family’s constant digs and comments about how unlovable he was and how he should definitely be in a relationship by his age. but ashton had a way to fix that, it all just depended on whether luke agreed or not.

(or: the fake dating fic.)

[danda-bear]

Brisbane Seated Bar Home Bar Seated home bar - huge transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor seated home bar idea with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

[home-stuck-in-desert-bluffs]

Home Bar Galley Brisbane Elegant photo of a galley kitchen with a brown floor and a bar cart, medium-toned wood cabinets, quartz countertops, and a mirror backsplash.

[vehandojo]

Home Bar Galley Brisbane Elegant photo of a galley kitchen with a brown floor and a bar cart, medium-toned wood cabinets, quartz countertops, and a mirror backsplash.

[residenteevee]

Seated Bar Brisbane

Remodeling ideas for a mid-sized coastal home bar with a seated area of dark wood flooring and a brown floor, an undermount sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, open cabinets, and a glass sheet backsplash.

[ezelvir]

Eclectic Home Bar in Brisbane

Wet bar - large eclectic concrete floor wet bar idea with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops and brown countertops

[bloumiddel]

Home Bar Galley in Brisbane Elegant photo of a galley kitchen with a brown floor and a bar cart, medium-toned wood cabinets, quartz countertops, and a mirror backsplash.

[artistbookings]

Tongue & Groove - Funk Band

Tongue & Groove is a Brisbane-based funk band that delivers a memorable performance of groove music. With some of the best soul, funk and Motown tunes, Tongue & Groove presents their own interpretations of a range of beloved classic songs, paired with innovative original compositions, and current pop songs. 

Their repertoire includes tunes from Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Maceo Parker, and Bill Withers, among many others. The band also performs pop and rock music from the present day. Expect a high-energy performance with music you know and love, and the fun of spontaneous, improvised groove. 

Tongue & Groove have performed at many of south-east Queensland's highest profile venues, including the Regatta Hotel in Toowong, Friday's Riverside and Doo-Bop Bar in Brisbane city, and many other venues, weddings, and private functions from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast.

Instrumentation: Vocals, Saxophone, Guitar, Bass, Drums

Music Genre: Funk, Motown, Pop, Covers, Rock, Soul, Contemporary

Size: Quintet

Hire For: Clubs, Bars, Government and Council Events, Corporate Events, Weddings, Private Functions

Equipment Supplied: Yes

[relaxvideobar]

Sabías que, el 2 de noviembre cumple 71 años la baterista australiana Lindy Morrison nacida en Brisbane, Queensland, conocida por su trabajo entre 1980 y 1989 en la banda indie-rock Go-Betweens, participando en todas sus grabaciones hasta su primera separación en diciembre de 1989. Lindy no participó en una posterior reforma del grupo entre 2000 y 2006. También ha trabajado con Silent Figures, Shrew, Xero, los Four Gods, Deep Blue Sea, Cleopatra Wong (con Amanda Brown ex-Go-Betweens) y Tuff Monks. @relaxvideobar www.relaxvideobar.com (at RELAX VIDEO BAR) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkrpKSPswfI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rentcampervan]

The Top Seven Bars in Brisbane You Cannot Resist

When you are exploring the town and nearby places in your campervan rental Brisbane, there is a good chance you are hit by the need to have some good food. Not being a local or a person who hasn’t visited too many bars for drinks, you might be at a loss on where to go to have the best beer or cocktail. We have come up with a list of the bars that you should visit when in this town next. 1.    Death and Taxes: The name suggests the kind of drinks that will be made available here. It is the best moody bar that is located slightly on the outside of Brisbane town. It is known for offering an interesting and highly differentiated mix of cocktails. If you plan a night out and are in a mood for some new flavors, you should try this place out. 2.    Maker: This is located along the south of Brisbane, and is designed to meet the yesteryears. It is a laneway bar majorly, where there is a seating space along the bartender. You also have few rooms where people can sit. If you want to try some of the local Australian flavors of drink and spirits, you should go here. Even their design inspires a lot of local. Find a spot to park your motorhome hire Brisbane. 3.    Cobbler: this is more along the urban lines. The bar is known for being stylish with no pretence. People come here to buy their stiff drinks and enjoy a night talking to friends. You will notice that people preferring whiskey visit this place the most. Even the bartender space and the ceiling lights transform the space to give it an urbanish look. 4.    Gerard’s Bar: This place is go-to for the drinks as well as the different food accompaniments. They are known to serve artisan meats and salumi, which is why you will find a host of people in this place. These food accompaniments go well with the special and unique drink flavors served here. 5.    Savile Row: It isn’t a whiskey bar though it is almost akin to Cobbler the favorite in Brisbane. You should ideally grab a campervan rental Brisbane to move around. You can see some of the hot cocktails and twists in the drinks served here. You should visit this place for the range of flavors, drinks and of course the ambiance. They are known for creating different and flavorful cocktails. 6.    Canvas: This is located in Woolloongabba, and is along the road leading to Logan Road. The entire route and the place where it is present give out a chil vibe. You will notice that once inside, you are floored with the good food and excellent drinks. Creative is the way you can describe the drinks served in this place. 7.    Mrs. Brown’s Bar and Kitchen: As the name gives away, it is a friendly neighborhood kitchen that serves good food. It is also stocked with the favorite liquor and a lot of good flavors. Your plates are filled with stories and food while you are here. The drinks are all creative and different. You may never findanother like this. Make sure to find a good motorhome hire Brisbane to travel in and around the town to find the best bars.

[allsassnoclass]

okay so re: smutless long fics, I’ve tried to compile a list of fics as close to 50k words as possible since that’s the wordcount the anon cited and tbh my friends there really are not that many that I personally have read but I did my best.  All fics under the cut are over 30k and have either been verified good by me or my trusted friends

delete this transmission by @anxietycalling: 67k mashton sci-fi. I reread this one recently and it’s just as amazing the second time around I very highly recommend it

“Yeah,” he says, catching sight of his reflection in the dimly reflective surface and running fingers through his hair to fluff it up. And instead of getting on the mag-train home like he wants to, he catches the northbound train to the greenlawn with Calum. “You know, I think I might not go through with it,” he tells his best friend, meaning his activation. They sit together across from the back doors of the car and watch the adverts for an upcoming showing of ‘Titanic’ at the interactive theater. While Calum sits beside him silently he gnaws on a thumbnail and wonders whether it’s too late to get his money back.

“You can’t go back on it now,” Calum tells him.

And it’s true: His payment has already been processed, the credits removed from his profile. The invoice showed up in his e-net overnight and he’d added it to his encrypted folder. “It’s just - weird,” he says, weighing each of the words on his tongue before he speaks. “To be in charge of another person like that. I don’t want that responsibility.”

I’m a Falling Star by @pixiegrl: 55k lashton fantasy, very cute and sweet

A philosopher once asked, “Are we human because we gaze at the stars or do we gaze at them because we are human?” Pointless really. “Do the stars gaze back?” Now that’s a question.

Or: Ashton’s a shop boy setting out on a adventure to find a star to help grant a wish. Luke’s a star crashed to Earth looking for some help to get back home. They’re both in for more adventure than they bargained for.

I Wanna Sleep Next to You... by milecgv: 54k malum college au.  I read it over a year ago but I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it then

"Cuddle buddies, how can I help you?"

Pausing, Calum thought, he could just hang up. Get over the moment of weakness and face the rest of the night alone. He could do it. But the idea of spending one more second alone, brought a fresh pang of hurt to his heart and really, he couldn't bear it. Before his thought process could spiral out of control, the calm voice repeated itself.

"Um, yeah. I-, I need someone to-" He cut himself off because really, how was he going to phrase this?

Chuckling softly, the man on the other line interjected. "Sir, do you need someone to cuddle you?"

Shit, it was now or never. "Yeah. I-uh, I do." His voice came out so small, and he really hoped the man on the other side wouldn't pick up on how desperate he was.

~~~

Calum gets the opportunity to live out his dreams in New York City but it proves too much for him, and on a lonely night he ends up calling the professional cuddle service he swore he'd never call.

those are the only three completed fics over 50k that I personally can vouch for, but here are a few more longer ones I’ve read and I’ll link some over 50k that have gotten good reviews from my friends after those.

Destination: Perth by onlythevoid: 34k lashton 

The stranger swung into the seat next to him and sighed contentedly. Luke stole a glance from under his hat. It was a boy with light-brown messy hair, reminiscent of surfers Luke saw on the beach in Brisbane - he had a t-shirt on and black jeans, and fade-tint round-frame sunglasses propped on his straight nose.

The stranger caught Luke’s eyes.

“Hey?” The stranger asked. Shouldn’t have looked at him, Luke thought. Too late.

The stranger had set his sunglasses on his head and was peering below Luke’s cap. “Dude. You look terrible. Are you okay?”

Oh, so the stranger was one of those guys. Too friendly and ever-inquisitive. Yes, Luke looked like shit; he’d been crying for an hour at a time, every few hours, and all he’d had to eat in the past two days was some wet broccoli at the hospital and a bag of chips he’d bought that morning in Brisbane, and there were bruises all up and down his right arm from a car crash he wished he’d died in.

Luke didn’t say any of that. He prayed his voice would be steady and said, “Yes. Thanks.”

The messy-haired boy did not seem convinced. After a pause, he offered, “My name’s Ashton, by the way.”

hello, hello by @clumsyclifford: 30k lashton

For one long, blinking minute, Luke stares at Ashton and wonders if he’s hallucinating. Because that’s definitely Ashton. That’s Ashton Irwin, his former best friend from Sunny Days, the show they co-starred on as children.

But it’s also definitely Ashton Fletcher, professional film actor worth many millions, possibly hundreds of millions, of dollars, standing on his doorstep, wind ruffling his hair.

Now for the fics that I haven’t read but can confidently say are good through a rigorous peer review system (aka I have friends who read them/I have read and enjoyed other works by these people)

home is wherever you are tonight by @lifewasradical: 72k lashton. this one is on my tbr, I have only heard good things, and I’ve read other things by Amanda and trust her as a writer

Life has become so mundane in the past few years that there’s very little that sends a thrill up Luke’s spine anymore. It’s that idea that had him saying yes to the idea of moving out here for a few weeks anyways: the knowledge that this was a completely new place where no one knew his name. He could be anyone he wanted to be here, within reason. He wouldn’t be seeing any of these people again after May, so what’s the harm in becoming a new person for a bit? Someone not so bogged down by the shit in their head that they can’t get out of bed some mornings. Maybe this is a step in the direction of the person Luke wants to be in the future anyways.

Or, Luke inherits a beach house on a tiny costal island that needs some work. He didn't plan on falling in love with the guy at the hardware store.

world war series by prettyluke: 58k lashton historical au. Megs really likes this one and I trust her judgement

Even after months of seeing bodies ripped apart by bullets and bombs, Ashton still isn't prepared to be ripped apart by the fragile German soldier who has seen far more than any child should.

and

Luke shows up in Britain after 25 years right in time for World War Two to start, and Ashton has been waiting for someone to yank him from his melancholy since Christmas of 1914.

i’ll keep on fighting (just to make you believe) by @squishmichael: 33k muke I have heard good things about this one, have read other works by Taylor and trust them as a writer, and also I did skim this one when it first came out and it’s good I just need to sit down and fully read while paying attention

“Hi, Mike,” Luke says softly.

Michael might have cried from hearing his voice so clearly, not through a phone line, but instead his smile just gets bigger and bigger until his cheeks hurt.

“Hey, Luke,” he replies before throwing himself at Luke, arms looping around his neck and holding tight.

“Easy there, tiger,” Luke says with a chuckle, but he hugs Michael back.

It feels so different, all the shapes and sizes wrong, yet Michael has never felt so at home, melting right into the hug. Luke still fits so perfectly against him despite everything. Because it’s them, and they’re meant to be, and Michael never wants to let go.

*

In which Luke is finally coming home to Australia for the summer after two years, and everything should be perfect. Michael quickly realizes nothing is.

Under the High Low Lights I See You There by @pixiegrl: 33k lashton 90s bar au. I have heard a lot of good things and I have read and enjoyed Emily’s writing

Luke moves onto cleaning the glasses, sneaking glances over at him, admiring the open blue flannel he’s wearing with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his chest in the white tank top he’s wearing and the pull of it over his muscles, the acid wash denim pants straining over his thighs. He’s attractive and Luke knows he shouldn’t be looking, shouldn’t be so obvious in his stares, but he can’t help it. The man was made to be admired.

Or: It’s the summer of 1996 in New York City when Luke meets Ashton at his bar. Things aren’t always as they seem.

He Did Ballet by @kaleidoscopeminds: 34k cake. people love this one and meg is a great writer

Like the way he danced, everything in Luke's life was perfectly placed, an allegro exercise all on beat, an enchainment with no mistakes. The last thing he needed was a distraction, something to pull his attention away and make him stumble, like losing your spot during a series of fouettés. He glances back towards the bar and sees Calum still looking in his direction. Luke catches his eye again by mistake for just a second too long and Calum smiles slowly and winks at him. Luke shivers slightly and already feels slightly unbalanced. Calum is definitely not a good idea.

Luke's life is perfectly on track. He is about to get everything he's ever wanted, to become a Principal dancer for the Royal Ballet. He's focused, determined and nothing will get in his way. Then he meets Calum, a smooth-tongued barman with dangerous eyes, and suddenly not everything's so simple.

The Sun Is Burning Down Los Angeles by @burstingsunrise: 40k cake. have heard good things and Molly is a good writer

Calum probably signed a form saying he wouldn’t fall in love with the lead singer of the band. And he really doesn’t want to. What a cliché. It’s just…people get famous for a reason. This guy got famous for all the reasons.

***

Calum moves to LA to work for 5SOS.

[thenextrush]

In Victoria earlier this month at the culmination of the BrewCon and Trade Expo, the Indies (Independent Beer Awards) saw All Hands Brewing House take the medal home for Champion Australian Independendent Brewery in the major ‘Brewpub’ category and NSW State Champion title!  They also won a further 7 Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for their 6 brews in the two day competition gaining favor with judges over the hundreds of beers entered across a range of styles!

The Boiler Room Dinner was an opportunity to celebrate the super duo and men of the hour – Head Brewer, Sam Clayman (who has a PhD in biology and Diploma in Brewing Science) and Assistant Brewer, Tim Radjenovic.  

A sensory experience in pairing food with their brew:

The sensory extension to the signature brews and whiskies is executed in a way that challenges the diner.   Venue Manager, Craig Morgan described the collaboration in menu design and  rationale behind the pairings with Executive Chef, Michael Acevedo.  “Both of us decided duck would work really well with with the IPA which cuts through the greasiness, Chef came up with the braised pork rib, which is describe on the menu with pineapple and we’ve put it into the braise.   The pear tart and combination of blue cheese whether you like it or don’t like it – it confuses the palette”

Handing over the rains to Benriach Distillery, hosts for the evening, the food, wine and beer pairing are a new concept for All Hands as it’s always been about the beer.    It was a great opportunity for the lads to let their hair down and bask in the glory of their wins.  An event like this opens the discovery of their Darling Harbour brew to new audiences in a destination dining hotspot for locals and visitors. 

In recent years we’ve seen more and more entrants outside the popular crafty ale trail of the inner west with local brewmakers popping up in Bankstown, Marsden Park joining The Rocks and Darling Harbour as well as online only boutiques into the new emerging area allowing brewers to operate as bars.   

Last time we were here there were five permanent taps with another four on rotation depending on demand. It provides a creative space for Head Brewer, Sam Clayman and his team to refine and re-tweak seasonal releases. This is a win for beer lovers, enabling Sam to experiment with different yeast strains, play around with fermentation temperatures and the science behind the craft.

Sydneysiders are demanding premium, innovative, and diverse offerings more with the area of craft beer holding strength in promising industry growth, despite an overall drop in beer consumption across the nation.

Brand Ambassador, Thalita shared her passion for whisky as she reminded us that we should take a moment to appreciate the 21 year old elixir that was casked by someone who may no longer be with us to enjoy.   The time and the effort that went into the glass poured was a great moment that allowed guests to learn and experience premium blends in a new way.    

  What’s On at All Hands Brewing House:

The next few weeks right through to the Summer will see Sydneysiders enjoying the celebrations (What’s On at All Hands Brewing House) they have for the AFL and NRL Grand Finals, Rugby World Cup, Melbourne Cup Lunch and After Party, Sunday live music, happy hour daily, weekly Burger Day (Thurs), $20 12” Baguettes (Wednesdays), Smoking Brisket Tuesdays and more! 

  A look back:

  Party Planning Kit:

Unbeatable views, an uber cool space that easily moulds itself to a casual affair or full blown business space or formal celebration – you’ve got lots to work with here!

Capacities: Lower Deck: 140 seated / 350 standing Private Dining in the Engine Room: 20 seated Total Space easily hosts 1000 for a standing reception

  Beer Festival Weekends (Save the Date/s):

Friday 8th November: Fremantle Beer Fest Saturday 30th November: Sydney Beer Fest Tuesday 31st December: Launceston Beer Fest Saturday 15 February 2020: Canberra Beer Fest Friday 27 March 2020: Perth Beer Festival March 2020: Brisbane Beer Fest Crafty Pint’s Guide to Australian Beer Festivals

    Credits: All House Brewing Company,  Pendulum Communications, Twentieth Letter, Beer Cartel, Independent Brewers Association, Brewers Association of Australia

All Hands Brewing House wins 2 major categories at the "Indies" - Independent Beer Awards 2019! #darlingharbour #craftbeer #beer #allhandsbrewinghouse #kingstreetwharf #beerlovers In Victoria earlier this month at the culmination of the BrewCon and Trade Expo, the Indies (Independent Beer Awards)